Pat Munday - November 03, 2005
Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee
Land Purchase
Hi, I’m Pat Munday, with the Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee.
Things have been pretty quiet on the Superfund scene here in the upper Clark Fork River Basin. The Environmental Protection Agency has not responded to criticism from scientists and engineers about its proposal to leave waste in place for the Butte Priority Soils remedy. We’ve also heard nothing about the agency’s plans for beginning its cleanup of the Clark Fork River.
Fortunately, Montana’s Natural Resource Damage Program has been forging ahead. Currently, the program is evaluating seven Restoration Project Proposals for funding. These include the usual waterline projects for Butte and Anaconda, as well as another request for two years’ worth of funding to extend the Greenway several more miles down Silver Bow Creek.
There are several conservation and restoration proposals to be considered. These include the acquisition of a landmark property on the Butte hill, a fisheries restoration project on an important tributary of Silver Bow Creek, and the Duhame land purchase—prime elk and deer winter range in the Durant Canyon just a few miles downstream of Butte.
Big Butte is the landmark hill looking out over uptown Butte and Montana Tech. It’s a mess of old mining claims, and its become a favorite place for the dirt bikers and four-wheelers to “go tear it up.” Suburban development has also been creeping up the flanks of the old hill, and one could easily imagine it covered with homes in the near future. Despite abuse by off road vehicles and development, Big Butte has undergone some natural revegetation: Douglass firs are slowly colonizing the wetter slopes, sagebrush and bunch grasses have sprouted in the drier areas, and there is even a nice assortment of wildflowers and forbs—including our state flower, the Bitterroot or “rock rose” as the locals refer to it.
Since Fish, Wildlife, and Parks began rounding up some local urban poachers and Butte began restricting shooting zones, wildlife has also returned to Big Butte. On any given morning its common to see mule deer, and folks who hike Big Butte regularly often see foxes and other critters.
Several years ago, a coalition of locals came together to save Big Butte. Their efforts culminated in the current proposal from local government. The request is $705,000 for about 300-acres. Like Missoula’s Mount Sentinel, this is clearly a purchase that will produce tremendous public benefits for many years to come. It’s also a great lesson in the ability of a concerned group of citizens to work with local government for the benefit of the greater community.
German Gulch Creek is Silver Bow Creek’s most important tributary when it comes to clean, cold water, native trout, and public access. The George Grant Chapter of Trout Unlimited, a small and dedicated cadre of active conservationists, is requesting $912,000 for this important sub-watershed. It’s a complex project, with components ranging from restoration of a placer-mined reach of stream, removal of mine tailings, purchase of private property in-holdings, water leasing for instream flows, and barriers to protect native Westslope cutthroat trout from invasive exotic fish.
The Duhame property consists of nearly 2,000 acres of wooded uplands in a corner defined by Silver Bow Creek and German Gulch Creek. The property borders two state wildlife management areas, and ranges high above Silver Bow Creek’s scenic and remote Durant Canyon. The request is for more than $1.6 million, but it’s a fair price for a wild and scenic area just minutes away from Butte and Anaconda. The Greenway Service District formulated this proposal, and the Silver Bow Creek Greenway will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to this local gem. Sadly, the proposal has been called into question because of some technical uncertainties associated with the land appraisals, but we hope that the Natural Resource Damage Program and the Greenway folks are able to iron out these wrinkles.
Yes, no CFRTAC radio commentary is complete without providing you with news about an upcoming meeting: the Natural Resource Damage Program will present its Milltown Restoration Plan at a public meeting November 10 at 7 in Bonner at St. Ann's church. Please plan to attend, and learn about the exciting plans for removing the dam and restoring the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers.
Also, please check out CFRTAC’s new website at www.cfrtac.org.
From Butte to Missoula, we deserve a clean, healthy, and accessible Clark Fork River. It’s your river. Wade in, and help make the future.
Thank you, and good night.
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